Tent frame



F. SALMEN, JR

June 5, 1934.

TENT FRAME Filed June 27, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l FI 4. 3 .21;- J.

F. SALMEN, JR

June 5, 1934.

TENT FRAME Filed June 27, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 21 WWW/1101' Fred Salme Sitar/M F. SALMEN, JR

June 5, 1934.

TENT FRAME Filed June 27 1932 3'70 .12

Sheet 4 4 Sheets- JV fir'ed .Sa 2 1n 6 Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a tent frame and more specifically pertains to foldable tent frames of the type which are especially adapted for use in camping tents. I

An object of the invention is to provide a tent frame which embodies a series of foldable sections adapted to be readily assembled to form a support for a tent of the box type equipped with a gable roof. 7

Another object is to provide a tent frame which is so formed as to afford, when assembled, an unobstructed floorspace throughout the interior of the tent, and in which the parts are so arranged as to be thoroughly braced and thereby provide a strong and substantial structure.

Another object is to provide a tent frame of the above character which is so constructed that it may be folded into a compact bundle so that it may be conveniently transported. A further object is to provide in associa "on with the tent frame a bed or cot arrangement so formed that either one of a pluralityof beds maybe supported on the tent frame clear of the tent floor, which is so constructed as to afford various adjustments as to height'and also as to arrangement so that the bed structure may be also utilized as seats and shelvesyand in which the bed structure is adapted to be folded into a compact bundle when not in use and for transportation purposes.

With the foregoing objects in View, together with such other O jects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts, and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tent frame showing it in its assembled tent-supporting position; t

Figure 2 is a detail in side elevation, with parts broken away, of a foldable tie member; Figure 3 is a plan view of the tie member shown in Figure 2; I

Figure 4 is a view in section and elevation as seen on the line 44 of Figure 2 in the direction indicated by the arrows; V

Figure 5 is a detail in section as seen on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; v V

Figure 6, is-a perspective View illustrating one of the corner sections of the tent frame in its unfolded and assembled position;

Figure 7 is an inverted plan view as seen in the direction indicated by the arrow 7 in Figure 6; i x

, Figure 8 is a detail in perspective illustrating the jointed portion of' a corner post member of the frame;

Figure 9 is a detail in horizontal section as seen on the line 9 '9 of Figure ,6; Figure 10 is a detail in section taken on the line 10-1 0 of Figure 6; v

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the manner of folding one of the tent frame sec tions; k

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 11; b Figure 13 is a plan view of the ridge mem- Figure 14 is a View of the ridge member as seen in side elevation;

Figure 15 is a view in section as seen on the line 1 5-l5of Figure 14,

7 Figure 16 is a view in cross section; on the corner frame member, with the parts shown in their folded position; I

Figure 17 is a plan view of the foldable bed member as seen in its extended position and illustrating the manner of mounting'same;

Figure 18 is a detail in side elevation of the bed member, with parts bro-ken away, and showing the manner of folding same;

Figure 19 is a detail in perspective depicting the manner of supporting the bed member;

Figure 20 is a detail in perspective of an end portion of one of the end rails of the bed member; Figure 21 is a detail in cross section as seen on the line 21-21 of Figure 18 and V Figure 22 is a detail in perspective depicting the manner of forming a seat by arranging a pair 7 of the bed members so that one will form a back for the other; 1

Figure 23 (sheet 1) is a detail in section taken on the line 23-23 of Figure 1, showing a detachable connection between assembled e ave members.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a series of four foldable frame units comprising a pair of front units A and B, and a pair of rear units C and D. Each of these units includes a standard E on the uppfir end of which are carried gable elements (comprising a gable member F, a tie rod G, and a brace bar H. and an eave member I). The gable members Fof each pair of the frame units, A and B or C and D, are adapted to be connected together, as are the tie rods G, and the brace bars Hare arranged to extend diagonally downward from the gable members to the intersection of the tie rods G. Ifhe eave membersl on the front frame units are adapted to be connected to the cave members on the rear frame units to tie the front and rear frame units together at the upper ends of the standards.

Each of the frame units also include a brace bar J arranged to extend diagonally between the upper portion of the standard E and the tie rod G, and further embody a brace bar K arranged to extend diagonally upward between the lower portion of the standard and a tie rod L adapted to connect the standards of the pairs of frame units. A ridge bar M is provided to extend between the gable members of the pairs of frame units, which with the tie rods L are separable from the frame units.

Each of the standards E embodies upper and lower sections and 26 connected together by a hinge 27, which sections are of substantially corresponding lengths and are adapted to be folded by the hinge 27 to extend alongside each other. The standard sections are formed of channel cross section with the hinge 27 applied to the bottom walls thereof, and the sections are arranged so that when assembled the channels of opposed standards of each frame unit will face each other.

As a means for securely fastening the sections 25 and 26 in alignment with each other, the sides of the lower end of the upper section are extended beyond the hinge 27 to form yoke members 28 and 29 which extend astride the hinged end of the lower section when the sections are aligned, and formed in the yoke members are opposed apertures 30 and 31 which register with opposed apertures 32 and 33 formed in the side webs of the section 26. A loose pin 34 is demountably inserted in the aligned apertures, as shown in Figure 10, to hold the sections in alignment. As a further means for fastening the sections and to stiffen the joint therebetween, an extension 35 is formed on the hinged end of the section 26 which is adapted to project into the channel of the upper section 25 and overlie the back wall thereof, and mounted on this extension is a threaded stem 36 arranged to pass through a hole 37 in the back wall of the upper section and on which is screwed a wing-nut 38 to clamp the extension 35 against the upper section 25, as shown in Figures 6 and 9.

The gable member F is preferably formed of T-section and has its stem portion at one end thereof hingedly connected to the upper end of the standard E by a pivot pin 40. The outer ends of the gable members are formed to overlap their companion members and are formed with holes 41 to receive a bolt 42 to efiect connection of the pair of gable members, which bolt also serves as a connection for the ridge member M to the gable members, the ends of the ridge member being formed with screw threaded openings 43, as shown in Figure 13, to receive and engage the bolt 42, as particularly shown in Figure '7.

The tie rods G and the brace bars H are pivotally connected to the stem portions of the gable members F by pivot pins 44 and 45, respectively, and the outer or free ends of these rods and bars are each formed with a hole 46 to receive a bolt 47 fitted with a wing-nut 48, which bolt serves to connect the ends of the tie rods G and the brace bars H of a pair of the frame units, as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The cave members I are pivotally connected to the upper faces of the gable members F by pivot pins 50 and the outer ends of the cave members at each side of the frame, that is, extending between the standards A and C, and the standards B and D, are adapted to be detachably connected together by a connection particularly shown in Figure 23 which includes a pin 51 carried by one of the members I and arranged to engage with a hole 52 on the adjacent member I when the end portions of said members are overlapped on each other. As a means for retaining the pin 51 in engagement with the hole 52 and to hold the overlapped members I in alignment, a sleeve 53 is slidably carried on one of the members I and is adapted to be positioned to encompass the overlapped ends of the adjacent members I and to extend over the pin and hole connection; one end portion of the sleeve slidably fitting the member I carrying same and the other end portion thereof being enlarged to receive the terminal portion of the other eave member. A stud 54 is mounted on the member I carrying the sleeve 53 for the purpose of limiting retracted movement of the latter.

The tie rods L, for connecting the standards A and C, and B and D, intermediate their ends, are each composed of two sections 55 and 56 which are pivotally connected together by a pivot pin 57, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and i, so that the sections may be folded to overlie each other. The pin 5'? is arranged adjacent one end of the section 55 and is spaced from one end of the other section 56 to provide a short length 58 of the latter which will project beyond the pin 57 when the sections are disposed in alignment, and mounted on the section 55 is a slidable sleeve 59 which is adapted to be positioned to encompass the overlying end portions of the sections 55 and 56 in engagement with the terminal portion of the secticn 58 and thereby hold the sections 55 and 56 in their aligned position.

The outer end portions of the sections 55 and 56 are bent at right angles to form projections 66 and 61 which extend in parallel relation to each other when the sections 55 and 56 are in their aligned position. These projections are adapted to be slidably inserted into sockets 62 formed on the standard sections 25, as shown in Figure 6, to effect detachable connection between the tie rods and the standards. Mounted on the tie rod sections 55 and 56 in spaced relation to the projections and 61 are headed studs 63 which are adapted to be engaged by hooks 64 formed on the outer ends of the brace bars K which latter are connected at their other ends by pivots 65 to the standard sections 26.

The brace bars J are connected by pivot pins 66 to the standard sections 25 and have hooks 67 on their outer ends which are adapted to be detachably engaged with headed studs 67 on the tie rods G, as shown in Figure 6.

The'ridge bar M is formed of two separable sections 68 and 69, here shown as formed of T-iron, which sections are adaptedto be positioned in alignment with each other and with their inner adjacent ends abutting each other, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, and fixedly mounted on the inner ends of the section 68 is a sleeve '70 which projects beyond the inner end of the section 63 to form a socket '11 of T-shaped cross section adapted to telescopically receive the inner end of the section 69. The protruding end portion of the sleeve 70 is formed in the stem portion thereof with aligned holes '72 and '13, and the web portion of the section 69 is formed with a hole '74 arranged to be positioned in register with the l The frame structure when assembled is designed to afford a support for one or more panels N designed to be employed as bed seats or shelves and for which purpose the standards and the panel N are so constructed as to provide a detachable hinged connection therebetween and the panels are so constructed to permit of their being collapsed and folded into compact bundles.

As here shown, the panels each embody side rails and 81 and end rails 82 and 83 which are adapted to be assembled in the form of a rectangular frame, and which rails afford a support for a sheet 84 of canvas or similar flexible sheet material.

The side rails 80 and 81 are formed of two lengths of tubing hingedly connected together at adjacent ends by an offset hinge or pivot 85 in such manner that the sections of the side rails may be disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other or be folded to extend parallel with each other.

The outer ends of the side rails 80 and 81 are formed with rectangular sockets 86 adapted to receive tapered lugs 87 projecting laterally from the end rails 82 and 83 adjacent the ends thereof to effect a detachable connection between the end rails and the side rails.

The fabric sheet 84 is formed along its longitudinal edges and across its ends with sleeves 88 to receive the side rails 80 and 81, and the end rails 82 and 83; the corners of the sheet being cut away, as indicated at 89, to expose the joint between the end rails 82 and 83 and the side rails 80 and 81 and also being cut away on its side mar-' gins intermediate its ends, as indicated at 90, to expose the hinge connection between the sections of the side rails 80 and 81.

Projecting laterally from the outer end portions of the end rails 82 and 83 are T-shaped lugs 91 the head portions of which extend in the direction of the length of the end rails and the stern portions of which protrude a short distance from the face of the rails.

The standards E have the sections 25 and 26 thereof formed with a series of spaced longitudinally extending elongated slots 92 which slots are arranged on the innermost side flanges or webs of the sections so as to present the slots on the standards of the corner sections A and B toward the slots on the standards of the corner sections C and D.

The slots 92 are designed to receive the lugs 91 on the frames N in a manner to afford a pivotal support for one side of the latter between the standard E of the corner sections A and C or of the corner sections B and D, as will presently be described.

As a means for supporting the panels N in a horizontal position, chains 93 are provided which chains have hooks 94 on their upper ends adapted to be engaged with the tie rod G, as particularly shown in Figures 1 and 19, whereby the chains are suspended from the tie rods. The chains are provided with links of such size and shape as to be engageable with the lugs 91 on the panels N.

In the operation of the invention, the structure is folded into its collapsed form in the following manner.

Each of the corner sections A, B, C and D is folded by swinging the sections 25 and 26 of the standard E on the hinge 27 connecting same to position the sections 25 and 26 parallel with each other and back to back, with the brace rod K swung downwardly on its pivot 65 to lie along the back of the lower section 26.

The brace bar J is swung on its pivot 66 to extend along the length of the standard section 25 at one side thereof; the tie rod I is swung on its pivot 50 to extend along the upper face of the gable member F; the tie rods G and brace bar J are swung on their pivots 44 and 45 to extend alongside the opposite sides of the web portion of the gable member F and the latter is swung on its pivot 40 to overlie the inner face of the standard section 25 with the web portion of the gable member and its folded tie rods G and brace bar J disposed within the channel of the section 25, as particularly shown in Figure 16. The tie rods L are folded by swinging their end sections 55 and 56 on the pivot 57 to extend substantially alongside of each other, and the ridge bar M is disposed in its collapsed position by separating the sections 68 and 69 thereof by withdrawing the latter from the socket 71 and then laying the sections 68 and 69 side by side.

The panels N are collapsed and folded by withdrawing the lugs 8'7 on the end rails 82 and 83 from the socket 86 then withdrawing the end rails from their associated sleeve 88, whereupon the side rails 80 and 81 are folded on their hinges 85 so that their end members will overlie each other thus at the same time folding the sheet 84 intermediate its end. The folded rails 80 and 81 are then positioned side by side and the folded sheet 84 wrappedtherearound preferably with the detached end rails 82 and 83 wrapped therein.

The folded corner sections A, B, C, D, tie rods L, ridge member M and panels N are preferably so proportioned as to be approximately of correspending lengths and such that when the folded structure is packed in one or more bundles, such bundles will be about four feet in length. However, the structure may be of any desired dimension.

In setting up and assembling the tent frame struciure, the corner sections A, B, C and D are set up in the following manner. The standard E of the front sections A and B are laid on the ground in about the position they are to occupy when erected, whereupon the gable members F are swung upwardly to their unfolded position as are the tie rods G and brace bar J and the outer ends of the gable members are temporarily connected together as by a wing bolt and the outer end of the tie rods G and the associa'ed brace rods H are assembled together by the bolt 47 and wing nut 48, as shown in Figure 5. The brace bar J is swung on its pivot 66 and the hooks 67 on the outer ends thereof are engaged with the headed studs 67 on ihe tie rods, as shown in Figure 6. The rear corner sections C and D are assembled in like manner, whereupon the standard sections 25 are raised to a substantially per- A tent covering to be carried on the frame,

formed to conform to the frame structure and not necessary to: be here shown, is then placed over the partially assembled frame since the upper portion of the latter is then low enough 1 to permit ready assemblage of the tent thereon. When this is done the standard sections 2:) are raised to allow the lower sections 26 to swing into line therebeneath. On the standard sections 25 and 26 being disposed in alignment, the threaded studs 36 project through the openings 3'7 and wing nut 38 as screwed thereon, as shown in Figure 9, whereupon the pins 34 are passed through the then aligned openings 31 and 33 and 28 and 30, as shown in Figure 10, thereby securely fastening the sections 25 and 26 in their aligned extended position.

The assembled tie rods L are then put in place with their end portions 60 and 61 engaging the socket 62 on the standard section 25 thus tying the standard E of the corner sections A and. B to the standard E of the corner sections C and D intermediate the ends of the standards.

The brace bars K are then positioned diagonally upward from the standard sections 26 with the hooks 64'. on the ends thereof engaged with the headed studs 63 on the tie rods L.

The ends 60 and 61 of the tie rods L are slightly tapered so as LO effect wedge engagement with the socket 62.

The panels N assembled as shown in Figure 1'7 are then put in place by inserting the lug 91 projecting from the end rails adjacent one of the side rails into opposed slot 92 of the standard E; the panel being disposed in a transversally upright position to permit insertion of the elongated head 91 of the lug tothe vertically extending slot. The chains 93 are then swung from the tie rods G and appropriate links thereof connected with the lugs 91 at the end of the panel approximate the outer margin thereof to thereby support the panel in a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 1.

A series of the panels N may thus be supported on the pairs of side standards in superposed relation to each other; there ordinarily being sufficient room to accommodate three of such panels on each side of the tent frames sufficiently spaced apart to serve as bunks or cots, the beds thus formed are arranged clear of the ground and leave the floor space of the tent structure unobstructed.

When the panels N are not in use as beds, seats or shelves they may be detached from the chain 93 and then swung to a dependent position on the standard E or they may be folded upwardly alongside of the side wall of the tent.

Where it is desired, adjacent panels N may be disposed to extend substantially at right angles to each other, as shown in Figure 22, so that the lowermost panel will serve as a seat while the depending panel will serve as a back therefor.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction and arrangement shown, but may employ such changes and modifications in the parts and in the arrangements thereof, as occasion may require, coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard, a tie rod pivoted on said gable member, a brace member pivoted on said gable member adapted to be engaged with the inner end of said tie rod, and a brace member pivoted on said standard, and means for detachably connecting the outer end of said last named brace member to said tie rod intermediate the ends of the latter.

2. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard, a tie rod pivoted on said gable member, a brace member pivoted on said gable member adapted to be engaged with the inner end of said tie rod, and a brace member pivoted on said standard, means for detachably connecting the outer end of said last named brace member to said tie rod intermediate the ends of the latter, said first named brace member and said tie rod being adapted to be folded to extend longitudinally of said gable member, and said second named brace member being adapted to be folded to extend longitudinally of said standard.

3. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard, a tie rod pivoted on said gable member, a brace member pivoted on said gable member adapted to be engaged with the inner end of said tie rod, and a brace member pivoted on said standard, means for detachably connecting the outer end of said last named brace member to said tie rod intermediate the ends of the latter, and an eave member pivoted at one end thereof to said gable member and adapted to be positioned to extend longitudinally of said gable member.

4. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard, a tie rod pivoted on said gable member, a brace member pivoted on said gable member adapted to be engaged with the inner end of said tie rod, and a brace member pivoted on said standard, means for detachably connecting the outer end of said last named brace member to said tie rod intermediate the ends of the latter, said first named brace member and said tie rod being adapted to be folded to extend longitudinally of said gable member, and said second named brace member being adapted to be folded to extend longitudinally of said standard, and an cave member pivotally connected to said gable member and adapted to be folded to extend lengthwise of the latter.

5. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard and adapted to fold thereagainst, foldable means for holding said gable member in extended position in relation to said standard, an eave member pivotally carried by said gable member and foldable lengthwise of the latter, a ridge member, and means for detachably connecting the inner end of said gable member to said ridge member.

6. In a foldable tent frame, a standard, a gable member pivoted on the upper end of said standard and adapted to fold thereagainst, foldable means for holding said gable member in extended position in relation to said standard, an eave member pivotally carried by said gable member and foldable lengthwise of the latter, a ridge member, means for detachably connecting the inner end of said gable member to said ridge member, a tie rod, means for pivotally connecting said tie rod to said standard intermediate the ends of the latter, a brace member pivotally connected to said standard, and means for detachably connecting the outer end of said brace member to said tie rod.

7. In a foldable tent frame, a standard comprising a pair of channel sections, a hinge connecting said sections on which the sections may be folded to extend parallel with each other back to back and also to be swung in alignment with each other, an extension formed on the lower section adapted to overlie the inner face of the upper section, and means for clamping said extension in engagement with said upper section.

8. In a foldable tent frame, a standard comprising a pair of channel sections, a hinge connecting said sections on which the sections may be folded to extend parallel with each other back to back and also to be swung in alignment with each other, an extension formed on the lower section adapted to overlie the inner face of the upper section, means for clamping said extension in engagement with said upper section, yoke members on said upper section arranged to overlie the sides of the lower section adjacent said hinge, and means for detachably connecting said yoke members to said lower section.

9. In a foldable tent frame, a standard comprising a pair of channel sections, a hinge connecting said sections on which the sections may be folded to extend parallel with each other back to back and also to be swung in alignment with each other, an extension formed on the lower section adapted to overlie the inner face of the upper section, means for clamping said extension in engagement with said upper section, yoke members on said upper section arranged to overlie the sides of the lower section adjacent said hinge, said yoke members being formed with opposed apertures, the sides of said lower sections being formed with opposed apertures swingable into alignment with the apertures on said yoke, and a demountable pin adapted to be inserted through said apertures to effect engagement between said yoke members and said lower section.

10. In a foldable tent frame, two pairs of corner units each of which embodies a standard, a gable member pivoted to the upper end of said standard, a tie rod pivoted to said gable member, a brace member for connecting the inner end of said tie member in angular relation to said gable member, means connecting said standard to said tie rod for holding said gable member in an extended position relative to said standard, and an eave member pivoted to said gable member; means for detachably connecting the gable member of each pair of units together, separate means for detachably connecting the tie rods of each pair of units together, and means for detachably connecting the cave members of opposed pairs of units together, a ridge member, and means for detachably connecting the ends of said ridge member to the connected gable menibers.

11. In a foldable tent frame, a pair of gable members, standards for supporting said gable members, means for connecting said gable members together, a pair of tie rods carried by each gable member, means for connecting said tie rods together, diagonal braces leading from said gable members to the connection between said tie rods, and braces connecting said tie rods to said standards.

12. In a foldable tent frame, a standard formed of channel cross section, a gable member formed of T-crcss section pivotally connected at one end thereof between the side members of said standard at the upper end of the latter whereby said gable member may be folded to extend longitudinally of said standard within its channel, a brace member, and a tie member foldably carried on said gable member and foldable with the latter within the channel of said standard.

13. In a foldable tent frame, a pair of standards, gable members pivotally carried on said standards the inner ends of which gable members have holes therein and are adapted to overlie each other with said holes in register, a ridge member formed at its ends with threaded openings, and a bolt insertable in the holes in said gable members and adapted to be screwed into engagement with one of the threaded openings in said ridge member to collectively fasten the inner ends of said gable members and one end of said ridge member together.

FRED SALMEN, JR. 

